Celine Dion returns to stage amid husband's battle with cancer

Singer Celine Dion made an emotional return to the Las Vegas stage Thursday amid her husband Rene Angelil's throat cancer battle.

Before the show started, Dion held a press conference to discuss her return and how her family is dealing with Angelil's illness.

"I'm trying really hard to show my children that sickness and things happen in life. You cannot be crying and be depressed and consistently talk about, 'Oh my God,'" Dion told reporters.

When discussing how her three children, Rene-Charles 14, and twins Nelson and Eddy, 4, are handling the situation, Dion mentioned "Rene Charles is going to be 15 years old soon. He's a wonderful young man. He's entered his teenage years and sometimes we can go really crazy, for some teenagers, but so far so good. I have tremendous respect for my oldest, Rene Charles, because he's showing strength to see his dad this way because he's been his anchor. When he was younger he knew his dad was older but they bonded a lot. I'm sure it's hard for him."

As the concert got underway, Dion continued to express her love for Angelil by sharing personal family photos on stage while singing The First Time I Ever Saw Your Face. "It's good to be back, especially tonight. I have missed you very much," the singer told the cheering crowd. "But I did not miss your love, because I knew it was with me. You have helped all of us to get here tonight and we are going to thank you the best way we can. We are going to sing for you. Have some laughs, some memories and go to a few new places if that's okay with you. You were with me, stayed with me, and once again you are still here. Let's do this. Let's go all the way back."

Dion recently resumed her Vegas residency in August returning to the Colosseum at Caesars Palace a year after going on hiatus to care for her husband in 2014.

On Monday, Dion opened up to USA Today about Angelil and mentioned how wishes to die in her arms.